According to reports, some persons suspected to be Nigerian soldiers stormed Naka community in Gwer West, Benue State at about 11:00 a.m today and started setting houses ablaze.
Mr Francis Ayagah, chairman of the local government said the ‘soldiers’ were on a reprisal attack over the killing of one of their colleagues near the community on Wednesday.
“A soldier was killed by hoodlums yesterday, but I met with the brigade commander around 4:30 a.m. today,
“He gave me a list of suspects and we arrested five of them overnight. It was while we trying to take them to the brigade that soldiers stormed the town and started burning houses.
“A whole part of the town has been completely burnt down and we’re appealing for help and understanding from the soldiers” he said.
The troops were said to have spent over two hours burning down properties in Naka. Mr Ayagah said homes of citizens were mostly affected rather than those of the suspected killers of the slain soldier.
Nigerian Army spokesperson, Texas Chukwu, and Defence spokesperson, John Agim said no report had been received about the incident.
The Nigerian Army they said, has ended the ‘Exercise Ayem Akpatuma‘ in which troops were drafted to combat gunmen who have killed hundreds of villagers in the state since January. Gwer West was attacked a little over a week ago with over 25 people reportedly killed. The ‘soldiers’ on rampage today are believed to be amongst those embedded with mobile police officers in ‘Operation Zenda’.
Some residents of the community shared pictures of the arson on social media.
